[CHOA's Shortview 19] "I found my freedom in the Dominican Republic" — Rishabh & Amanda's Dominican deep talk

“We keep fusing — bringing in the hips and the footwork, vibing off each other. That's what makes it something different.”

CONTEXTExplaining how they build their own style from traditional bachata inspiration

“The difference between an advanced dancer and a beginner comes down to fundamentals. There's really nothing else.”

Explaining what they learned from studying traditional bachata

“If I'm an advanced dancer, it's because my fundamentals are solid.”

Stressing the importance of fundamentals

“Learning traditional bachata gave me the freedom to dance to the music.”

Looking back on learning traditional bachata from Ace Fusion

“The musicality you see actually comes from understanding the genre and traditional bachata.”

Explaining how studying traditional bachata shaped their musicality

“Traditional bachata is all about the hips. Feet, hips, grounding — that's the core.”

Explaining the difference between traditional and modern bachata

“Modern bachata is more about hand patterns and salsa-style combinations.”

CONTEXTComparing the traits of each bachata style

“Sensual has that flowing, top-to-bottom feel, and fusion is sharper.”

Comparing bachata's different styles (sensual, fusion)

“If you jump in halfway, you get confused about what you're fusing, how, and where. But if you start from the ground up, you build a solid base.”

On the order of learning styles and why the basics matter

“We want to teach people how to listen. I think that's the part that's really missing.”

Explaining the philosophy they emphasize in class

“When people learn a move, they just keep repeating that move no matter what's happening in the music.”

Pointing out the problem of dancing without listening to the music

“For us, training your ears is just as important as training your body. You have to sync the two up.”

Stressing the balance between musical training and physical training

“In everything we do, you have to hear it and move instantly.”

On their philosophy of dancing in immediate response to the music